(Mansfield, Ohio) — Kyle Gimple and Ryan Eversley brought home their second podium-finish of the 2013 season at Mid-Ohio last month, returning their No. 75 Honda Performance Development Civic Si to the top of Grand-Am’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge championship. Teammates Ray Mason and Adam Burrows (in the #76 Columbus Truck entry) and Robert Thorne and Aaron Povoledo (#77 Pixxcars.com Honda) brought their cars home seventh and eighth, respectively, notching solid results for all of the team cars at Mid-Ohio.

Gimple, 21, is a Minden resident who has been working his way up the racing ranks the past few seasons. His ultimate goal is to advance to the highest levels of racing, particularly Rolex, GT3 or NASCAR.

Pit strategy during the June race was key, and the team called it to perfection, pitting each of the cars in rapid succession just outside the normal pit window. “We gambled a little on getting enough yellow flag periods towards the end of the race,” noted Technical Director Ray Lee. “That played out pretty well, although we really didn’t need that final one.” Indeed, all three cars had been conserving brakes and tires to be ready for a late-race battle, which was thwarted somewhat by a caution called with just minutes to go.

“I’d hoped to save a little to have a go at Valiente and Dyer,” remarked Eversley. “Our car was hooked up and I was ready for battle, but we simply ran out of laps with that last caution. Still, we’ll take the points and be happy to be leading the championship again.”

Gimple, who once again ran a great first stint, was similarly pleased. “The team gave us a great car again, so thanks to them. It’s going to be a challenge to stay on top but I feel like we’ve got a real shot this year.”